Child and pet monitoring system for use in vehicles

ABSTRACT

A monitoring system for determining whether the child or pet has been left unattended within the vehicle. The system may include a vehicle device having a monitoring platform, an alarm switch, and an alert device, which may emit an alarm if a first sensor detects the presence of the child or pet and a second sensor detects that the vehicle is in an off state. The system further may include a portable alert device that detects its location relative to the vehicle device, and emits an alarm if it is located outside a predetermined zone surrounding the monitoring platform. In another embodiment, the system may include a vehicle device having a sensor that detects whether the vehicle transitions from an on state to an off state and an alert device that emits an alarm if the sensor detects that the vehicle transitions to the off state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/326,011, filed on May 20, 2021, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/029,316, filed May 22, 2020, theentire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF USE

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for alerting auser of the presence of a child or pet in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Every year numerous children and pets are left unattended in vehicles,which can result in injuries or death. To prevent these accidents,monitoring systems were introduced to alert drivers to the presence of achild or pet within a vehicle. These systems help prevent the driversfrom exiting or walking away from the vehicle without the child or petthat they may have forgotten about during their drive.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,442,353 describes a child safety assembly having asensing unit positioned beneath a child car seat that wirelesslycommunicates with an alert unit positioned on the dashboard of avehicle. The alert unit communicates with the vehicle to detect when thedriver's side door is opened. When the driver's side door is opened andthe sensing unit senses the weight of the child, the alert unit emits analarm (e.g., spoken words, lights) to alert the driver to the presenceof the child within the vehicle. This patent does not describe adjustingthe alarm based on whether a child or an animal is located within thecar.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,768,292 describes a system comprising a pressure sensoror chest clip sensor to detect the presence of a child within thevehicle, a control module that is located within a vehicle, and aportable device (e.g., key fob) that communicates with the controlmodule. The portable device auto-connects and auto-activates with thecontrol module and other transmitters. When the portable device is movedoutside of a certain distance from the control module, an alarm istriggered and emitted from the fob. Alternatively or additionally, thecontrol module may send an alert to the driver's mobile phone. Thesystem may also be used for pet safety. This patent does not describeemitting an alarm from a control module inside the car when the vehicleis stopped or the driver's door of the vehicle is opened.

U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2003/0122662 describes a system that provides awarning when a child has been left in a vehicle and 1) the vehicle'sdoor has opened and/or 2) a key ring remote unit is not located within apredetermined zone around the vehicle. The system includes a childdetection mechanism to detect whether a child is within the vehicle, adoor position detection mechanism to detect whether the driver's sidedoor is closed, a range detection mechanism to detect the range of a keyring remote, two alarm units, and two control units that generates alarmsignals when either of 1) or 2) above occurs. One control unit islocated within the key ring remote and the other is located on thedashboard of the vehicle. This patent does not describe adjusting thealarm based on whether a child or an animal is located within the car.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,348,889 describes a self-activating system for warningwhen a child has been left in a vehicle for a predetermined amount oftime after the vehicle has been shut off. A detector senses the presenceof a child and an ignition detection mechanism determines the state ofthe ignition system. A triggering system sends a signal to amicroprocessor control when both a child has been detected and theignition has been shut off for a predetermined period of time, and acustomizable recorded message is emitted from a speaker. The system alsoincludes a pager that will emit an audible signal or vibration if theuser is outside a range. This patent does not describe an alarm switchthat is disposed on a control module and configured to switch between atleast two modes.

It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosuremade herein is presented.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure overcomes the drawbacks of previously-knownsystems and methods by providing a child and pet monitoring system whichallows the user to easily switch between, e.g., a child mode and a petmode.

The monitoring system includes a first sensor configured to generate afirst output if the first sensor detects the presence of a child or ananimal within a vehicle. The monitoring system also includes a secondsensor that is operatively coupled to the vehicle. The second sensor isconfigured to generate a second output if the second sensor detects thevehicle is in an off state.

The first sensor may be disposed under a child car seat and may beconfigured to generate a first output when the first sensor detects aweight exceeding a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the firstsensor may be disposed on a pet collar and may be configured to generatea first output when the first sensor is located within a predetermineddistance from a monitoring platform. The second sensor may beoperatively coupled to the vehicle and may be configured to generate asecond output when the second sensor stops receiving power from thevehicle or when the second sensor detects that a door of the vehicle isopened.

The monitoring system further includes a vehicle device that isremovably coupled to the vehicle. The vehicle device includes amonitoring platform that is configured to receive the first output andthe second output, an alarm switch that is configured to switch betweena first mode and a second mode, and an alert device that is operativelycoupled to the monitoring platform. The alert device is configured toemit an alarm when the monitoring platform receives the first outputfrom the first sensor and the second output from the second sensor. Thealarm may be a first alarm when the alarm switch is in the first modeand may be a second alarm when the alarm switch is in the second mode,such that the second alarm may be different from the first alarm. Forexample, the first alarm corresponding to the first mode may indicatethat a child has been left unattended in the vehicle while the secondalarm corresponding to the second mode may indicate that a pet has beenleft unattended in the vehicle. The alert device may include a firstalarm button configured to stop the alarm when the first alarm button ispressed.

The monitoring system may additionally include a portable alert devicethat is operatively coupled to the monitoring platform. The portablealert device includes a third sensor and is configured to emit aportable alert device alarm if the third sensor is located outside apredetermined zone surrounding the monitoring platform. The portabledevice alarm may be a third alarm when the alarm switch is in the firstmode and may be a fourth alarm when the alarm switch is in the secondmode. The portable alert device may be a mobile device having a mobiledevice application that is configured to modify the alarms correspondingto the first mode and the second mode. Alternatively, the portabledevice may be a key fob that may vibrate and/or emit an alarm when thekey fob is located outside the predetermined zone surrounding themonitoring platform.

The vehicle device may further include a temperature sensor that isconfigured to generate a temperature output if the temperature insidethe vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold. The monitoring platformmay be configured to receive the temperature output and the alert devicemay be configured to emit an alarm when the monitoring platform receivesthe temperature output.

In an alternative embodiment, the monitoring system includes a sensorthat is operatively coupled to the vehicle and is configured to generatean output if the sensor detects the vehicle is in an off state. Thesensor may be configured to generate an output when the sensor stopsreceiving power from the vehicle or when the sensor detects that thevehicle has stopped moving for a predetermined period of time.

The monitoring system further includes a vehicle device that isremovably coupled to the vehicle and may be coupled to a power outlet ofthe vehicle. The vehicle device may include at least one USB port. Thevehicle device includes a monitoring platform that is configured toreceive the output and an alert device that is operatively coupled tothe monitoring platform. The sensor may also be disposed within thevehicle device or may instead be separate from the vehicle device. Thealert device is configured to emit an alarm when the monitoring platformreceives the output from the sensor and the monitoring platformgenerates a command to emit the alarm. The alert device may beconfigured to stop emitting the alarm after a predetermined period oftime.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle monitoring system in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows example components that may be included in a monitoringplatform in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for monitoring achild or pet in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the vehicle monitoringsystem in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows example components that may be included in an alternativeembodiment of the monitoring platform in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems described herein may be used to detect the presence of a childor pet within a vehicle and to determine whether the child or pet hasbeen left unattended within the vehicle. The system may include a firstsensor that detects whether the child or pet is located within thevehicle, a second sensor that detects whether the vehicle is in an offstate, a vehicle device having a monitoring platform, an alarm switchwith a first mode (e.g., child mode) and a second mode (e.g., pet mode),and an alert device operatively coupled to the monitoring platform. Thealert device may emit an alarm if the first sensor detects the presenceof the child or pet within the vehicle and the second sensor detectsthat the vehicle is in an off state. The system may additionally includea portable alert device, configured to be transported by the driver ofthe vehicle, the portable alert device having a third sensor thatdetects whether the portable alert device is located outside apredetermined zone surrounding the monitoring platform. The portablealert device may emit an alarm if the first sensor detects the presenceof the child or pet within the vehicle and the third sensor detects thatthe portable alert device is located outside the predetermined zonesurrounding the monitoring platform.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an overview of an exemplary vehicle monitoringsystem constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure is provided. In FIG. 1 , components of the system are notdepicted to scale on either a relative or absolute basis. Vehiclemonitoring system 100 may include vehicle 101, a vehicle device, e.g.,hands-free device 200 having alert device 201, alarm switch 202,temperature sensor 203, and monitoring platform 210, mammal detectingdevice 300, vehicle detecting device 400, and, optionally, a portablealert device, such as mobile device 500 and/or key fob 600, allcommunicatively coupled via, e.g., network 150.

Network 150 may include any one, or a combination of networks, such as alocal area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephonenetwork, a cellular network, a cable network, a wireless network, and/orprivate/public networks, such as the Internet. For example, network 150may support communication technologies, such as TCP/IP, Bluetooth,cellular, near-field communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct,machine-to-machine communication, man-to-machine communication, and/orvisible light communications.

Some or all portions of the wireless communication link that supportscommunications between monitoring platform 210 and a communicationdevice, such as a router, for example, that may be included in network150, may be implemented using various types of wireless technologies,such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, or near-field-communications (NFC),cellular, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, machine-to-machine communication,man-to-machine communication, and/or a vehicle-to-everything (V2X)communication.

Hands-free device 200 may be disposed anywhere within vehicle 101, butpreferably is disposed near the visor of vehicle 101 such thathands-free device 200 is within the eyesight and earshot of the driverof vehicle 101. For example, hands-free device 200 may be coupled to thevisor of vehicle 101. Hands-free device 200 may be connected to vehicle101 via a USB port or other power outlet. Alternatively, hands-freedevice 200 may include a rechargeable battery that may be charged priorto placing hands-free device 200 within vehicle 101. In addition,hands-free device 200 may include at least one USB port and may beconfigured to charge mobile device 500. Hands-free device 200 may beremovably coupled to the vehicle such that it may be moved to differenta vehicle. Hands-free device 200 may include monitoring platform 210,which is configured to receive outputs from sensors disposed withinalert device 201, mammal detecting device 300, vehicle detecting device400, and, optionally, mobile device 500 and/or key fob 600. Monitoringplatform 210 includes memory 220 having multiple modules, as describedfurther below. Alternatively, monitoring platform 210 may be integratedinto vehicle 101. For example, monitoring platform 210 may beincorporated into the vehicle during manufacturing of the vehicle.

Hands-free device 200 is operatively coupled to alert device 201. Forexample, alert device 201 may be integrated with hands-free device 200,and accordingly located within vehicle 101 where hands-free device 200is located, e.g., within the eyesight and earshot of the driver ofvehicle 101. Alternatively, hands-free device 200 may be a separatedevice from alert device 201. Thus, alert device 201 may be coupled to apower outlet within vehicle 101, e.g., a cigarette light socket. Alertdevice 201 is configured to emit an alarm when alert device 201 receivesa command from monitoring platform 210 via network 150. For example,alert device 201 may receive a command if both the sensor disposed withmammal detecting device 300 generates an output, indicating that a childor pet is disposed within the vehicle, and the sensor disposed withinvehicle detecting device 400 generates an output, indicating that thevehicle is in an off state. Alternatively, or additionally, mobiledevice 500 and/or key fob 600 may receive a command if the sensordisposed with mammal detecting device 300 generates an output and thesensor disposed within the portable alert device generates an output,indicating that the portable alert device is located outside apredetermined zone surrounding hands-free device 200. Alert device 201may include an alarm button, which may be configured to stop the alarmwhen pressed. Preferably, alert device 201 is configured to stop thealarm after a predetermined period of time, e.g., 10 seconds, 30seconds, or one minute.

Hands-free device 200 may include alarm switch 202 configured to switchbetween a first mode and a second mode, the first mode associated with afirst alarm and the second mode associated with a second alarm,different from the first alarm. For example, the first mode may be a“child mode” and may be switched on when, e.g., the driver prefers todetect the presence of a child within the vehicle. The first alarmassociated with the first mode may be a unique alarm that indicates thatthe child has been left unattended in the vehicle. For example, thefirst alarm may be programmed to include the sound of a crying babyand/or a pre-recorded message, e.g., “You forgot about me!” The secondmode may be a “pet mode” and may be switched on when, e.g., the driverprefers to detect the presence of a pet within the vehicle. The secondalarm associated with the second mode may be a unique alarm thatindicates that the pet has been left unattended in the vehicle. Forexample, the second alarm may be programmed to include a dog barkingand/or a pre-recorded message, e.g., “You forgot about me!” Additionallyor alternatively, the alarms may include flashing lights, vibrations, orspoken words or sounds. Such alarms may be emitted from alert device 201or a portable alert device (e.g., mobile device 500, or key fob 600). Asdescribed further below, mobile device 500 may have a mobile deviceapplication, which may be used to modify the alarms or to create customalarms.

Hands-free device 200 may also include temperature sensor 203 that isconfigured to generate a temperature output, which is received bymonitoring platform 210, the temperature output indicating that thetemperature inside the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold. Forexample, the predetermined threshold may be set at a temperature that isunsafe for children or pets, e.g. 100° F. Alert device 201 may beconfigured to emit a temperature alarm when alert device 201 receives acommand from monitoring platform 210 when temperature sensor 203generates the temperature output.

Mammal detecting device 300 may include at least one sensor that may beused to detect the presence of a child or pet within the vehicle. Forexample, mammal detecting device 300 may include a sensor that, upondetection of the child or pet, generates an output, which may betransmitted to monitoring platform 210. The output may be communicatedto monitoring platform 210 via network 150.

In some embodiments, mammal detecting device 300 may include a weightsensor and be sized and shaped to be disposed under child car seat 102,such that the weight sensor generates an output when the sensor detectsa weight exceeding a predetermined threshold. For example, thepredetermined threshold may be 7 pounds, such that mammal detectingdevice 300 detects when at least a small child is placed into child carseat 102. Alternatively, mammal detecting device 300 may be disposed ona seat belt of child car seat 102, such that the sensor is configured togenerate an output when a seat belt tongue is inserted into the seatbelt buckle. Additionally or alternative, mammal detecting device 300may be used to detect the presence of a pet within the vehicle. Forexample, mammal detecting device 300 may include a sensor sized andshaped to be disposed on pet collar 103. Accordingly, the sensor maygenerate an output when mammal detecting device 300 is within apredetermined distance from monitoring platform 210. Moreover, mammaldetection device 300 may include a Bluetooth tag for communicating withmonitoring platform 200 via Bluetooth communication over network 150.

Vehicle detecting device 400 may include at least one sensor that may beused to detect whether vehicle 101 is in an off state. For example,vehicle detecting device 400 may include a sensor that, upon detectionthat vehicle 101 is in the off state, generates an output, which may betransmitted to monitoring platform 210. The output may be communicatedto monitoring platform 210 via network 150.

The sensor of vehicle detecting device 400 may detect when the engine isshut off. For example, the sensor may be connected to the USB port ofvehicle 101, such that when vehicle 101 is shut off and the USB portstops receiving power from vehicle 101, the sensor generates an output.Alternatively, vehicle detecting device 400 may include an accelerometerthat detects the movement of vehicle 101, such that when vehicle 101 hasstopped moving for a predetermined period of time, the sensor generatesan output. Further, vehicle detecting device 400 may be operativelyconnected to the driver's door of the vehicle, such that the output isgenerated when the driver's door is opened.

Monitoring system 100 may additionally include a portable alert device,which may include, e.g., mobile device 500, key fob 600, and/or anotherdevice separate from monitoring platform 200 and alert device 201, andbe sized and shaped to be transported by the driver. Mobile device 500may be an iPhone™ or Android™ device having a user interface, andfurther may include a mobile device application. The mobile deviceapplication may be used to modify the alarms for the first and secondmode and, additionally, may be used to create custom alarms. Forexample, the user may pre-record audio messages that may be emitted wheneither the first or second alerts are administered.

The portable alert device (e.g., mobile device 500 or key fob 600) isoperatively coupled to monitoring platform 200 and has at least onesensor that may be used to detect whether the portable alert device ismoved a predetermined distance from monitoring platform 210. Forexample, the portable alert device may include a sensor that, upondetection that the portable alert device has been moved outside apredetermined zone from monitoring platform 210, generates an output,which may be transmitted to monitoring platform 210. The output may becommunicated to monitoring platform 210 via network 150. For example,the sensor may generate the output when the portable alert device isfarther than, e.g., 5, 10, or 20 feet away from monitoring platform 210.The mobile device application may be used to modify when the alarms aretriggered. For example, the mobile device application may expand thepredetermined zone surrounding monitoring platform 210, such that mobiledevice 500, held by the driver of the vehicle, is permitted to movefarther away from vehicle 101 without triggering the portable alertdevice alarm.

Monitoring platform 210 is operatively coupled to the portable alertdevice, which is configured to emit a portable alert device alarm whenthe portable alert device receives a command from monitoring platform210. For example, the portable alert device may receive a command if thesensor disposed within mammal detecting device 300 generates an outputand the sensor disposed within the portable alert device generates anoutput, indicating that the portable alert device is located outside thepredetermined zone surrounding monitoring platform 210. Alternatively,or additionally, the portable alert device may receive a command if boththe sensor disposed within mammal detecting device 300 generates anoutput, indicating that a child or pet is disposed within the vehicle,and the sensor disposed within vehicle detecting device 400 generates anoutput, indicating that the vehicle is in an off state. One or both ofthe portable alert device and the alert device may be configured to emitan alarm if either of the alert devices receives a command frommonitoring platform 210. The portable alert device may also include analarm button, which may be configured to stop the alarm when pressed.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , components that may be included in monitoringplatform 210 are described in further detail. Monitoring platform 210may include one or more processors 211, communication system 212, powersource 213, and memory 220. Communication system 212 may include awireless transceiver that allows monitoring platform 210 to communicatewith mammal detecting device 300, vehicle detecting device 400, mobiledevice 500, and key fob 600. The wireless transceiver may use any ofvarious communications formats, such as, for example, an Internetcommunications format, a Bluetooth communications format, or a cellularcommunications format, etc. Power source 213 powers the electricalcomponents of monitoring platform 210, and may comprise a primary cellor battery, a secondary (rechargeable) cell or battery or a combinationof both. Alternatively, power source 213 may be operatively coupled tovehicle 101.

Memory 220, which is one example of a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, may be used to store alarm switch detection module 221, mammaldetection module 222, vehicle detection module 223, alarm generationmodule 224, portable alert device detection module 225, and portablealert device alarm generation module 226. The modules are provided inthe form of computer-executable instructions that may be executed byprocessor 211 for performing various operations in accordance with thedisclosure.

Memory 220 may include any one memory element or a combination ofvolatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM,SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, harddrive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, memory 220 may incorporateelectronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Inthe context of this document, a “non-transitory computer-readablemedium” can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,or device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thecomputer-readable medium would include the following: a portablecomputer diskette (magnetic), a random-access memory (RAM) (electronic),a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory) (electronic), and aportable compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM) (optical). Thecomputer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable mediumupon which the program is printed, since the program can beelectronically captured, for instance, via optical scanning of the paperor other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in asuitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

Alarm switch detection module 221 may be executed by processor 211 forreceiving and processing data from alarm switch 202 disposed onmonitoring platform 210. For example, when the driver of vehicle 101switches alarm switch 202 to the first mode (e.g., “child mode”), thedriver indicates that they prefer to detect the presence of a childwithin vehicle 101. This information is then communicated to monitoringplatform 210 so that the first alarm, rather than the second alarm, isemitted when the alarm is triggered.

Mammal detection module 222 may be executed by processor 211 forreceiving and processing data from a sensor disposed within mammaldetecting device 300. As described above, the sensor may detect weight,may detect when a car seat belt has been buckled, and/or may detectwhether a pet is located within a predetermined distance from monitoringplatform 210. The sensor is configured to generate an output, which isreceived by mammal detection module 222, when the predeterminedthresholds are met, indicating that a child or pet is located withinvehicle 101.

Vehicle detection module 223 may be executed by processor 211 forreceiving and processing data from a sensor disposed within vehicledetecting device 400. As described above, the sensor may detect when thedriver's door is opened, may detect when vehicle 101 is shut off, and/ormay be an accelerometer that detects when vehicle 101 has stoppedmoving. The sensor is configured to generate an output, which isreceived by vehicle detection module 223, upon detection that vehicle101 is in an off state.

Alarm generation module 224 may be executed by processor 211 forgenerating a command to emit an alarm, such that the command may becommunicated to alert device 201 via network 150. Alarm generationmodule 224 may generate the command when mammal detection module 222receives and processes an output from the sensor of mammal detectingdevice 300 and when vehicle detection module 223 receives and processesan output from the sensor of vehicle detecting device 300. Alarmgeneration module 224 may also communicate alarm switch data based onthe configuration of alarm switch 202, so that the proper alarm isemitted to indicate that either a child or a pet has been leftunattended in vehicle 101.

Portable alert device detection module 225 may be executed by processor21 for receiving and processing data from a sensor disposed within aportable alert device, e.g., mobile device 500 or key fob 600. Asdescribed above, the sensor detects whether the portable alert device islocated outside a predetermined zone surrounding monitoring platform210. The sensor is configured to generate an output, which is receivedby portable alert device detection module 225, when the predeterminedthresholds are met, indicating that the driver of vehicle 101 has movedaway from vehicle 101.

Portable alert device alarm generation module 226 may be executed byprocessor 211 for generating a command to emit an alarm, so that thecommand is communicated to the portable alert device via network 150.Portable alert device alarm generation module 226 may generate thecommand when mammal detection module 222 receives and processes anoutput from the sensor of mammal detecting device 300 and when portablealert device detection module 225 receives and processes an output fromthe sensor of the portable alert device. Portable alert device alarmgeneration module 226 may also communicate alarm switch data based onthe configuration of alarm switch 202, so that the proper alarm isemitted to indicate that either a child or a pet has been leftunattended in vehicle 101.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , exemplary method 700 for monitoring a child orpet is described. At step 701, monitoring platform 210 receives, from afirst sensor disposed within mammal detecting device 300, a first outputindicating that a child or pet is located within the vehicle. At step702, monitoring platform 210 receives, from a second sensor disposedwithin vehicle detecting device 400, a second output indicating that thevehicle is in an off state. At decision 703, monitoring platform 210determines whether it received both the first output from the firstsensor and the second output from the second sensor, indicating that achild or pet has been left unattended in the vehicle. At step 704, ifmonitoring platform 210 determines that it received the first output andthe second output, monitoring platform 210 will transmit, to an alertdevice, a command to emit an alarm. The command will be based on thealarm setting as determined by the alarm switch. If monitoring platform210 determines that it did not receive either the first output or thesecond output, exemplary method 700 will start again at step 701.

Optionally, at step 705, monitoring platform 210 receives, from a thirdsensor disposed within a portable alert device (e.g., mobile device 500or key fob 600), a third output indicating that the portable alertdevice is disposed outside of a predetermined zone surroundingmonitoring platform 210. Optionally, at decision 706, monitoringplatform 210 determines whether it received both the first output fromthe first sensor and the third output from the third sensor, indicatingthat a child or pet has been left unattended in the vehicle. Optionally,at step 707, if monitoring platform 210 determined that it received thefirst output and the third output, monitoring platform 210 willtransmit, to the portable alert device, a command to emit an alarm. Thecommand will be based on the alarm setting as determined by the alarmswitch. If monitoring platform 210 determined that it did not receiveeither the first output or the third output, exemplary method 700 willstart again at step 701.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , an overview of an alternative embodiment ofthe vehicle monitoring system constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure is illustrated. Vehicle monitoringsystem 800 is configured to automatically generate an alarm when thevehicle transitions from an on state to an off state, the alarm notdependent upon whether a child or pet is detected within the vehicle.Vehicle monitoring system 800 may include vehicle 101 and vehicle device900 having alert device 901, sensor 902, USB port 903, and monitoringplatform 910.

Vehicle device 900 may be disposed anywhere within vehicle 100, butpreferably is disposed within the earshot of the driver of vehicle 101and coupled to a power outlet within vehicle 101, e.g., a cigarettelight socket. Vehicle device 900 may include at least one USB port 903,which may be configured to charge a mobile device or other device. In apreferred embodiment, vehicle device 900 may be removably coupled tovehicle 101 such that is may be moved and plugged into a differentvehicle.

Vehicle device 900 may include monitoring platform 910, which isconfigured to receive outputs from sensor 902 of vehicle device 900.Monitoring platform 910 includes memory 920 having multiple modules, asdescribed further below. Monitoring platform 910 is operatively coupledto alert device 901, which may be similar to alert device 201 describedabove.

Preferably, alert device 901 may be integrated with vehicle device 900,and accordingly located within vehicle 101 where vehicle device 900 islocated, e.g., within the earshot of the driver of vehicle 101.Preferably, alert device 901 is configured to emit an alarm when alertdevice 901 receives a command from monitoring platform 910. For example,alert device 901 may receive a command if sensor 902 disposed withinvehicle 101 generates an output, indicating that the vehicle is in anoff state. The emitted alarm may be programmed to include the sound of acrying baby and/or a pre-recorded message, e.g., “You forgot about me!”Additionally or alternatively, the emitted alarm may include flashinglights, vibrations, or spoken words or sounds. Alert device 901 mayinclude an alarm button, which may be configured to stop the alarm whenpressed. Preferably, alert device 901 is configured to stop the alarmafter a predetermined period of time, e.g., 10 seconds, 30 seconds, orone minute.

Sensor 902 may be similar to the sensor within vehicle detecting device400 described above that detects whether vehicle 101 is in an off state,such that sensor 902 may be used to detect when vehicle 101 transitionsfrom an on state to an off state. Upon detection that vehicle 101 is inthe off state, sensor 902 generates an output, which may be transmittedto monitoring platform 910. Preferably, sensor 902 is integrated withinvehicle device 900.

Sensor 902 may detect when the engine of vehicle 101 transitions from anon state to an off state. For example, sensor 902 may be connected tothe cigarette lighter socket/USB port of vehicle 101, such that whenvehicle 101 is shut off and the cigarette lighter socket/USB port stopsreceiving power from vehicle 101, sensor 902 generates an output.Alternatively, sensor 902 may be an accelerometer that detects movementof vehicle 101, such that when vehicle 101 has stopped moving for apredetermined period of time, sensor 902 generates an output.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , example components that may be included in analternative embodiment of the monitoring are illustrated. Monitoringplatform 910 may be similar to monitoring platform 210 described aboveand may include one or more processors 911, communication system 912,power source 913, and memory 920. Communication system 912 may include awireless transceiver that allows monitoring platform 910 to communicatewith sensor 902 and alert device 901. The wireless transceiver may useany of various communications formats, such as, for example, an Internetcommunications format, a Bluetooth communications format, or a cellularcommunications format, etc. Power source 913 powers the electricalcomponents of monitoring platform 910, and may comprise a primary cellor battery, a secondary (rechargeable) cell or battery or a combinationof both. Alternatively, power source 913 may be operatively coupled tovehicle 101 such that power source 913 receives power from vehicle 101.

Memory 920, which is one example of a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, may be used to store vehicle detection module 921 and alarmgeneration module 922. The modules are provided in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions that may be executed by processor 911for performing various operations in accordance with the disclosure.Memory 920 may similar to memory 220 described above and may include anyone memory element or a combination of volatile memory elements andnon-volatile memory elements. Moreover, memory 920 may incorporateelectronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media.

Vehicle detection module 921 may be executed by processor 911 forreceiving and processing data from sensor 902 disposed within vehicle101. As described above, sensor 902 may detect when the driver's door isopened, may detect when vehicle 101 is shut off, and/or may be anaccelerometer that detects when vehicle 101 has stopped moving. Sensor902 is configured to generate an output, which is received by vehicledetection module 921, upon detection that vehicle 101 is in an offstate.

Alarm generation module 922 may be executed by processor 911 forgenerating a command to emit an alarm, such that the command may becommunicated to alert device 901. Alarm generation module 922 maygenerate the command when vehicle detection module 921 receives andprocesses data from sensor 902. Upon receipt of the command from alarmgeneration module 922, alert device 901 may emit an alarm as describedabove, to thereby remind the driver of vehicle 101 to check the interiorof vehicle 101 for any children and/or pets.

While various illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are describedabove, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from thedisclosure. The appended claims are intended to cover all such changesand modifications that fall within the true scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed:
 1. A monitoring system comprising: a plurality ofsensors configured to detect the presence of a child or an animal withina vehicle and to detect whether the vehicle is in an off state; and avehicle device comprising: a monitoring platform configured to receiveoutputs from the plurality of sensors; an alarm switch configured toswitch between a plurality of modes, the plurality of modes comprising afirst mode in which the monitoring platform is detecting the presence ofa child and a second mode in which the monitoring platform is detectingthe presence of an animal, the first or second mode determined by a userpreference; and an alert device coupled to the monitoring platform, thealert device to emit an alarm in response to a command from themonitoring platform.
 2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein thealert device emits a first alarm when the alarm switch is in the firstmode and emits the second alarm when the alarm switch is in a secondmode.
 3. The monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the first alarm isdifferent from the second alarm.
 4. The monitoring system of claim 2,further comprising a portable alert device coupled to the monitoringplatform, wherein: the portable alert device emits a third alarm if theportable device is outside a threshold zone around the vehicle; and theportable alert device further comprises a portable sensor that detectswhether the portable sensor is outside the threshold zone around thevehicle.
 5. The monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the portabledevice further comprises a fourth alarm corresponding to the first alarmof the alert device and a fifth alarm corresponding to the second alarmof the alert device.
 6. The monitoring system of claim 5, wherein thefourth alarm is different from the fifth alarm.
 7. The monitoring systemof claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a sensordisposed: under a car seat, wherein the sensor detects weight exceedinga predetermined threshold; or on an animal, wherein the sensor detectsdistance of the sensor from the monitoring platform.
 8. The monitoringsystem of claim 1, wherein the monitoring platform is incorporated intothe vehicle during manufacturing of the vehicle.
 9. The monitoringsystem of claim 1, wherein the vehicle device is coupled to a poweroutlet within the vehicle.
 10. The monitoring system of claim 9, whereinthe power outlet is a cigarette lighter socket or Universal Serial Bus(USB) port.
 11. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the vehicledevice further comprises a temperature sensor configured to generate atemperature output if the temperature inside the vehicle exceeds apredetermined temperature threshold.
 12. A method of monitoringcomprising: detecting, from a first sensor configured to generate afirst output, whether a child or animal is within a vehicle; detecting,from a second sensor operatively coupled to the vehicle and configuredto generate a second output, whether the vehicle is in an off state;determining, via a monitoring platform configured to receive the firstoutput and second output, whether a child or animal is present in avehicle in the off state; and notifying a driver of the vehicle, via analert device operatively coupled to the monitoring platform, if themonitoring platform determines that the child or animal is present inthe vehicle in the off state, wherein: notifying the driver comprisesemitting an alarm, wherein the alarm emitted depends on a mode of analarm switch; and wherein the mode of the alarm switch is either in afirst mode in which the monitoring platform is detecting the presence ofa child or a second mode in which the monitoring platform is detectingthe presence of an animal, the first or second mode determined by a userpreference.
 13. The method of monitoring of claim 12, wherein detectingwhether a child is within the vehicle comprises monitoring the firstsensor, which is configured to be disposed under a child car seat and togenerate a first output when the first sensor detects a weight exceedinga threshold value.
 14. The method of monitoring of claim 12, whereindetecting whether an animal is within the vehicle comprises monitoringthe first sensor, which is configured to be disposed on a pet collar andto generate a first output when the first sensor is located within apredetermined distance from the monitoring platform.
 15. The method ofmonitoring of claim 12, wherein: the second sensor is coupled to a poweroutlet in the vehicle; and detecting whether the vehicle is in an offstate comprises monitoring the second sensor.
 16. The method ofmonitoring of claim 15, wherein the power outlet in the vehicle is acigarette lighter socket or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.
 17. Themethod of monitoring of claim 12, wherein determining whether a child oranimal is in a vehicle in the off state comprises receiving the firstoutput from the first sensor and receiving the second output from thesecond sensor and comparing the first output and second output.
 18. Themethod of monitoring of claim 12, wherein notifying the driver of thevehicle comprises emitting a first alarm when the alarm switch, is inthe first mode; and emitting a second alarm when the alarm switch is inthe second mode.
 19. The method of monitoring of claim 12, whereinmonitoring platform and alert device are incorporated into the vehicleduring manufacturing of the vehicle.
 20. The method of monitoring ofclaim 12, wherein the monitoring platform is removably coupled to thevehicle and the alert device is portable.